An in-form Doncaster Rovers side has a chance to extend their unbeaten run in the league to four games on Saturday when they travel to face Swindon, who are also in their best form of the season so far.
The two sides have experienced contrasting fortunes in their eleven games so far, with Doncaster sitting second just a point behind leaders Port Vale, while Swindon find themselves languishing in 18th, four points above the relegation zone.
As the game approaches, here is everything you need to know about both sides ahead of kick-off.
Swindon Town Predicted Lineup (5-3-2): Daniel Barden (GK); Rosaire Longelo, Miguel Freckleton, Will Wright, Tummise Sobowale, Joel McGregor; George Cox, Ollie Clarke, Gavin Kilkenny; Paul Glatzel, Daniel Butterworth.
Following their 19th placed finish last season, no one would have been expecting fireworks from Robin’s in 2024/25. Anyone who was thinking along those lines will have been feeling satisfied, as the opening weeks of their campaign were poor. However, there seems to have been a recent change in the tide.
They failed to pick up a win across their first seven competitive games of the season, finally breaking their duck with a comprehensive 4-0 win at home over Newport Town in mid-September.
Since this win, five points in their last five games have seen them settle into a nice groove, and no one at the club will be unhappy if they continue this improved run of form.
Doncaster Rovers Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Teddy Sharman-Lowe (GK); Brandon Fleming, Jay McGrath, Joseph Olowu, Jamie Sterry; George Broadbent, Owen Bailey; Kyle Hurst, Harry Clifton, Luke Molyneux; Billy Sharp.
Finishing in the play-off spots last season, Doncaster came agonizingly close to the play-off final, but fell to a penalty shootout defeat to Crewe Alexandra after giving away a 2-0 lead from the first leg.
Many have tipped Doncaster to challenge for promotion once again after last season's performance, and so far, they have lived up to expectations.
They have suffered just one defeat in the last six competitive games, a chastening 3-0 defeat to Chesterfield, but apart from that performance, the Vikings have been impressive, beating fellow promotion challengers Barrow and Grimsby Town with clean sheets, while drawing to last season's villains Crewe 1-1.
Playing against a lower placed Swindon, Doncaster will fancy themselves here, and will relish a slightly easier challenge in their attempt to steal top spot from Port Vale.
Recent meetings:
Historical Head to Head - Swindon: 3. Drawn: 3. Doncaster: 6.
With two sides in their best form of the season, neither squad will give an each to the other, meaning it is a game that can go two ways; either they go for broke and cancel each other out through goals, or they simply match each other in all areas of the pitch and cancel each other out through defense.
Either way, it will certainly be a fascinating tactical battle, and it certainly won’t be one sided.
Swindon 2-2 Doncaster
I personally hope the game plays out to the former; both sides will attack with intent and try and grab as many goals as possible to keep their rivals at bay.
Both sides have been in good goalscoring form, and it looks likely both will score, and the final result will depend on how solid their respective defensive structures are. While Swindon sit much lower in the table, they seem to be settling into a rhythm, and should be able to match Doncaster for the vast majority of the 90 minutes.
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